#4 track screws

[Civil War]

I'm looking for a source for dark or black #4 x 3/4 or 1" wood screws for track. Any suggestions?

 Thanks

[cjmeyers]

I'm currently using these to screw down my Gargraves track on my new layout:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#tapping-screws/=5fidgi

#90935A137 for 3/4" black oxide finish pan head. About $3.50 for a bag of 100.

Regards,

CJ Meyers - South Jersey
Member TCA

 

[joetrains]

   Check the yellow pages for a supplier that specializes in fastners or a large hardware store that sells fasteners by the box.

[fredswain]

http://www.microfasteners.com/

 

[bfskinner]

Right! Unless a part like a screw or nut has actually appeared for years as a Lionel stock part, one is generally better off searching Google, Bing, or Yahoo under "tasteners" or "screws" or the like, than he is looking for train parts, per se. Or so it seems to me. Many electrical supply houses and some auto parts suppliers also sell small fasteners. Also try www.McFeeleys.com , www.Fastenal.com, and others. Paper catalogs and "Yellow Pages" are going the way of the dodo.

.

[brianel027]

Civil War, I also use the Gargraves screws and like them. They're black and have a Phillips head, which is nice on small screws that you are putting into track locations that might not be easy to reach and might not be well lit.

I tried using a bulk box from a hardware store: they were silver and had a straight head, instead of the Phillips. Plus they were made in China and stripped out easily. They were a pain to get in and a bigger pain to remove. I'm glad I switched to the Gargraves screws... a big improvement.

[bigdodgeramtrain]

I have been all over the internet and all those places mentioned and have not found the #4 in the length I need.   I have one inch form under he track so I need at least 1.75 or two inch screws.  you would think that as many times this is asked on all the train forums someone could make what we need.

[chuck]

Try looking for no 6 or no 7 "Trim Screws". These are usually only available in square or star drives but they should be available in 1 5/8" length. The longest no 4's I've ever run into are 1" and those were round head philips from Gargraves.

[phillyreading]

Something that I do with the Gargraves screws is to drill the hole at 7/64 of an inch instead of 1/8 of an inch, this keeps the wood ties from splitting. Gargraves recommends drilling an 1/8 of inch hole but 7/64 works just as good even with plastic ties.

Lee F.

[bfskinner]

Civil War

I'm looking for a source for dark or black #4 x 3/4 or 1" wood screws for track. Any suggestions?

 Thanks

Has it been established that you are trying to secure Gargraves track?

In any event, I think folks worry too much about this problem. Once assembled, track isn't likely to move very far, and a fastener is needed only every few sections. Screws tend to increase track noise and they look like, well, screws. 

Consider using thin black nylon cable ties. They are very strong, inconspicuous, look like metal straps, and are easy to install and snip off again when necessary. They are readily available at any hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes or electrical-supply house.

http://www.gardnerbender.com/products/cable_ties.html

If you are in fact using something other than Gargraves, such as regular old Lionel O or 027 track, and do not have to worry about splitting thin wooden or plastic ties, why not just slightly enlarge a few holes in the metal ties and go ahead and use #6 screws or whatever are the smallest screws that you can find in the length you need?

In particular, I never screw down Lionel "022" switches. I do secure all three tracks leading to/from the switch, but I find that I largely avoid creating "shorts" and/or binding-parts inside the switches by letting them float.

.

[Anonymous]

if you are trying to go through the foam into ply then you are defeating the purpose of the foam. You will basicly transfer the track vibration from the rails, through the screw, into the ply. I use the Atlas screws that are long enough to go through the rail, through the foam roadbed, and into the ceiling tile base, but do not go through the ceiling tile to the ply. The track hasn't moved at all since I laid it over a year ago.

[lionelsoni]

Lee, how does drilling a smaller hole help to prevent splitting?

[Civil War]

lionelsoni

Lee, how does drilling a smaller hole help to prevent splitting?

 

I was just trying to get my head around that as well. 

[Civil War]

Has it been established that you are trying to secure Gargraves track?

 

I am using 0-27 track over vinyl roadbed over plywood. I'm going to try using a thin insulator between the screw head and the track. I'll let you know how it works. 

[phillyreading]

lionelsoni

Lee, how does drilling a smaller hole help to prevent splitting?

Bob, maybe I got some bad ties or something on my wooden ties but I have seen a few splinter or split right near the hole that I was drilling when using a 1/8 inch drill bit. Another factor might be that I was using S gauge Gargraves track.

Lee F.

[lionelsoni]

That makes more sense.  I thought you were talking about splitting when putting the screws in.  However, 7/64 inch is just a tad snug for number-4 screws, about .003 undersized, maybe not so important with wood ties.